Disability Claims for Female Veterans Exposed to Contaminated Water at Marine Base Camp Lejeune.

INTRODUCTION: Between 1953 and 1987, over one million Veterans were exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. We examined the relationship between toxicant exposure and subsequent disability ratings in female veterans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparisons were made between females stationed at Camp Lejeune and from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California who were not known to have been exposed to these toxicants, between 1975 and 1985, using data from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry and VA data. RESULTS: A total of 4,491 (52%) females from Camp Lejeune and 2,811 (47%) from Camp Pendleton used VA health care between October 1, 1999 and February 17, 2021. Approximately 51% of Camp Lejeune females were exposed to toxicants. More than half (50.6% and 53.9% from Lejeune and Pendleton, respectively) had a disability rating ≥10%. Females who were Black, Hispanic, officers, or had longer duration in camp were more likely to have a disability rating, whereas females exposed to toxicants were less likely to have a disability rating. When the regression was redone examining the predictors of disability due to any of 8 presumptive conditions associated with toxicant exposure, the only significant variable was having been at Camp Lejeune (odds ratio [OR], 2.5, 95% CI, 1.3-4.7). Toxicant exposure was not significant when only Camp Lejeune females were included in the model. CONCLUSION: Little attention has been given to female veterans exposed to toxicants at Camp Lejeune. Although we did not find an association between exposure and disability ratings, reliance on service-connected disability codes and small numbers were limitations. Further examination using international code of diseases diagnostic codes may be warranted.

Risk Factors for Development of Incisional Hernia After Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Secondary Analysis of the OVER Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Since the risk of mortality from rupture is elevated, elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is often recommended. Currently, over 80% of elective repairs are carried out using an endovascular approach. While open repair has similar late survival and fewer reintervention outcomes when compared to endovascular repair, incisional hernia is a frequent complication with morbidity and cost implications. The Open Versus Endovascular Repair (OVER) trial was the largest randomized trial of endovascular versus open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors associated with incisional hernia development following AAA repair via secondary analysis of the OVER data. METHODS: This was a multi-site trial conducted within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Study participants (N=881) were enrolled from 2002-2008 and followed until 2011 with additional administrative data collection until 2016. Eligible patients had abdominal aortic aneurysms for which elective repair was planned and randomized 1:1 to either open or endovascular repair. Incisional hernia was a prespecified endpoint in the OVER protocol, specifically assessed at each protocol follow up visit. Technical details were extracted from each operative report, repair case report form(s), and adverse event form(s). Patient demographics, comorbid conditions, reported preoperative activity level, and operative details including initial approach, blood loss, and closure methods were analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical Weibull survival regression modeling. RESULTS: Incisional hernias were recorded among 46 participants (5.2%). The average time to hernia diagnosis was 3.5 years. Of the 437 participants randomized to open treatment, 427 received an open repair including crossovers from endovascular treatment assignment. Transperitoneal repair was performed in 81%, running suture in 96%, and absorbable suture in 71% of cases. Randomization to endovascular repair was associated with reduced risk of hernia (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.49-0.94). Higher activity level was associated with increased hernia risk (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06-1.84). Approach, suture closure techniques, BMI, diabetes, and smoking status were not associated with increased risk of hernia development. CONCLUSIONS: Incisional hernia is a frequent complication associated with open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm and commonly required reintervention. Endovascular repair was associated with reduced risk of hernia. Patients with increased activity experienced a higher incidence of hernia. However, no other modifiable patient, operative, or technical factors were found to be associated with hernia development.

Benchmark findings from a veteran electronic patient-reported outcomes evaluation from a chronic pain management telehealth program.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability and negatively impacts biological/physical, psychological, and social aspects of life resulting in significant pain interference or disability. This project was part of a longitudinal mixed-methods implementation evaluation of the TelePain-Empower Veterans Program (EVP), a non-pharmacological chronic pain intervention. The purpose of this quality management project was to examine electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROs) including primary pain-related (intensity, interference, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia) and secondary outcomes (physical, psychological, acceptance, social) to determine TelePain-EVP effectiveness. Secondary purpose was to examine dosing effects to better understand potential dose relationships between EVP use and ePROs. METHODS: Standardized ePRO measures were examined at week 1 (baseline), week 10 (post-EVP), and week 26 (follow-up). Qualtrics, a cloud-based platform was used to collect ePRO data at each time point. Veterans that completed at-least one survey at any specified time point were categorized as responders (n = 221). Linear-mixed models (LMMs) were fit to assess changes for each primary and secondary ePRO. RESULTS: Participants ranged from 24 to 81 years old; veterans were typically male (65.16%), black or African American (76.47%), married or partnered (41.63%), attended at-least some college or vocational school (67.87%), and reported low back as their primary pain location (29.41%). There was a significant decrease in pain catastrophizing from baseline to post-TelePain-EVP (p < .001). However, pain catastrophizing improvement from baseline was not present at week 26 (p = .116). Pain interference also decreased from baseline to post-treatment (p = .05), but this improvement did not exceed the adjusted significance threshold. Additional pre-post improvements were also observed for certain secondary ePROs: psychological (anxiety, depression), acceptance (activities engagement). Only the activities engagement effect remained 26 weeks from baseline. Mixed results were observed for EVP dose across primary and secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from this evaluation indicate that TelePain-EVP has positive outcomes for certain pain (catastrophizing), psychological (anxiety, depression), and acceptance (activities engagement) for veterans with chronic pain. More TelePain related studies and enterprise-wide evaluations are needed along with comparative and cost effectiveness methods to determine patient benefits and the economic value gained of treatment options such as TelePain-EVP.

Prevalence and feasibility of assessing the frailty phenotype among hemodialysis patients in a dialysis unit.

BACKGROUND: Frailty increases risk of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Frailty assessments could trigger risk reduction interventions if broadly adopted in clinical practice. We aimed to assess the clinical feasibility of frailty assessment among Veteran hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Hemodialysis patients' ≥50 years were recruited from a single dialysis unit between 9/1/2021 and 3/31/2022.Patients who consented underwent a frailty phenotype assessment by clinical staff. Five criteria were assessed: unintentional weight loss, low grip strength, self-reported exhaustion, slow gait speed, and low physical activity. Participants were classified as frail (3-5 points), pre-frail (1-2 points) or non-frail (0 points). Feasibility was determined by the number of eligible participants completing the assessment. RESULTS: Among 82 unique dialysis patients, 45 (52%) completed the assessment, 13 (16%) refused, 18 (23%) were not offered the assessment due to death, transfers, or switch to transplant or peritoneal dialysis, and 6 patients were excluded because they did not meet mobility criteria. Among assessed patients, 40(88%) patients were identified as pre-frail (46.6%) or frail (42.2%). Low grip strength was most common (90%). Those who refused were more likely to have peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.001), low albumin (p = 0.0187), low sodium (p = 0.0422), and ineligible for kidney transplant (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Just over half of eligible hemodialysis patients completed the frailty assessment suggesting difficulty with broad clinical adoption expectations. Among those assessed, frailty and pre-frailty prevalence was high. Given patients who were not tested were clinically high risk, our reported prevalence likely underestimates true frailty prevalence. Providing frailty reduction interventions to all hemodialysis patients could have high impact for this group.

Age and beliefs about vaccines associated with COVID-19 vaccination among US Veterans.

This project surveyed Veterans' COVID-19 vaccination beliefs and status. 1,080 (30.8%) Veterans responded. Factors associated with being unvaccinated, identified using binomial logistic regression, included negative feelings about vaccines (OR = 3.88, 95%CI = 1.52, 9.90) and logistical difficulties such as finding transportation (OR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.01, 3.45). This highlights the need for education about and access to vaccination.

Differences in perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination between vaccine hesitant and non-hesitant persons.

Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination becomes more critical as new variants continue to evolve and the United States (US) attempts to move from pandemic response to management and control. COVID-19 stands out in the unique way it has polarized patients and generated sustained vaccine hesitancy over time. We sought to understand differences in perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination between vaccine hesitant and non-hesitant patients, with the goal of informing communication and implementation strategies to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Veteran and non-Veteran communities. This qualitative study used interview data from focus groups conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the University of Utah; all focus groups were conducted using the same script March-July 2021. Groups included forty-six United States Veterans receiving care at 28 VA facilities across the country and 166 non-Veterans across Utah for a total of 36 one-hour focus groups. We identified perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination through qualitative analysis of focus group participant remarks, grouping connections with identified themes within domains developed based on the questions asked in the focus group guide. Responses suggest participant attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine were shaped primarily by vaccine attitude changes over time, impacted by perceived vaccine benefits, risks, differing sources of vaccine information and political ideology. Veterans appeared more polarized, being either largely non-hesitant, or hesitant, whereas non-Veterans had a wider range of hesitancy, with more participants identifying minor doubts and concerns about receiving the vaccine, or simply being altogether unsure about receiving it. Development of COVID-19 vaccine communication strategies in Veteran and non-Veteran communities should anticipate incongruous sources of information and explicitly target community differences in perceptions of risks and benefits associated with the vaccine to generate candid discussions and repair individuals' trust. We believe this could accelerate vaccine acceptance over time.

Blood pressure measurement and blood pressure control in Veterans Affairs medical centers.

The Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers provide care for millions of Veterans at high risk of cardiovascular disease and accurate BP measurement in this population is vital for optimal BP control. Few studies have examined terminal digit preference (TDP), a marker of BP measurement bias, clinician perceptions of BP measurement, and BP control in VA medical centers. This mixed methods study examined BP measurements from Veterans aged 18 to 85 years with hypertension and a primary care visit within 8 VA medical centers. TDP for all clinic BP measurements was examined using a goodness of fit test assuming 10% frequency for each digit. Interviews were also conducted with clinicians from 3 VA medical centers to assess perceptions of BP measurement. The mean age of the 98,433 Veterans (93% male) was 68.5 years (SD 12.7). BP was controlled (<140/90 mmHg) in 76.5% and control rates ranged from 72.2% to 81.0% across the 8 VA medical centers. Frequency of terminal digits 0 through 9 differed significantly from 10% for both SBP and DBP within each center (P < .001) but level of TDP differed by center. The highest BP control rates were noted in centers with highest TDP for digits 0 and 8 for both SBP and DBP. Clinicians reported use of semi-automated oscillometric devices for clinic BP measurement, but elevated BP readings were often confirmed by auscultatory methods. Significant TDP exists for BP measurement in VA medical centers, which reflects continued use of auscultatory methods.

Risk of Parkinson Disease Among Service Members at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Importance: An increased risk of Parkinson disease (PD) has been associated with exposure to the solvent trichloroethylene (TCE), but data are limited. Millions of people in the US and worldwide are exposed to TCE in air, food, and water. Objective: To test whether the risk of PD is higher in veterans who served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, whose water supply was contaminated with TCE and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), compared with veterans who did not serve on that base. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study examined the risk for PD among all Marines and Navy personnel who resided at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (contaminated water) (n = 172 128), or Camp Pendleton, California (uncontaminated water) (n = 168 361), for at least 3 months between 1975 and 1985, with follow-up from January 1, 1997, until February 17, 2021. Veterans Health Administration and Medicare databases were searched for International Classification of Diseases diagnostic codes for PD or other forms of parkinsonism and related medications and for diagnostic codes indicative of prodromal disease. Parkinson disease diagnoses were confirmed by medical record review. Exposures: Water supplies at Camp Lejeune were contaminated with several VOCs. Levels were highest for TCE, with monthly median values greater than 70-fold the permissible amount. Main Outcome and Measures: Risk of PD in former residents of Camp Lejeune relative to residents of Camp Pendleton. In those without PD or another form of parkinsonism, the risk of being diagnosed with features of prodromal PD were assessed individually and cumulatively using likelihood ratio tests. Results: Health data were available for 158 122 veterans (46.4%). Demographic characteristics were similar between Camp Lejeune (5.3% women, 94.7% men; mean [SD] attained age of 59.64 [4.43] years; 29.7% Black, 6.0% Hispanic, 67.6% White; and 2.7% other race and ethnicity) and Camp Pendleton (3.8% women, 96.2% men; mean [SD] age, 59.80 [4.62] years; 23.4% Black, 9.4% Hispanic, 71.1% White, and 5.5% other race and ethnicity). A total of 430 veterans had PD, with 279 from Camp Lejeune (prevalence, 0.33%) and 151 from Camp Pendleton (prevalence, 0.21%). In multivariable models, Camp Lejeune veterans had a 70% higher risk of PD (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.39-2.07; P < .001). No excess risk was found for other forms of neurodegenerative parkinsonism. Camp Lejeune veterans also had a significantly increased risk of prodromal PD diagnoses, including tremor, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction, and higher cumulative prodromal risk scores. Conclusions and Relevance: The study's findings suggest that the risk of PD is higher in persons exposed to TCE and other VOCs in water 4 decades ago. Millions worldwide have been and continue to be exposed to this ubiquitous environmental contaminant.

Empower Veterans Program (EVP): a chronic pain management program demonstrates positive outcomes among veterans.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a highly prevalent health condition among veterans. Traditional pharmacological interventions present unique challenges for chronic pain management including prescription opioid addiction and overdose. In alignment with the 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and VA's Stepped Care Model to meet veterans' pain management needs, the Offices of Rural Health and Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) funded an enterprise-wide initiative to implement a Step 3 integrated tele-pain program: Empower Veterans Program (EVP). EVP provides veterans with chronic pain self-care skills using a whole health driven approach to pain management. OBJECTIVES: The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act prompted the strategic approach to offer non-pharmacological options to meet veterans' pain management needs. EVP, a 10-week interdisciplinary group medical appointment, leverages Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindful Movement, and Whole Health to provide veterans with chronic pain self-care skills. This evaluation was conducted to describe participant characteristics, graduation, and satisfaction rates; and assess pre-post patient-reported outcomes (PRO) associated with EVP participation. METHODS: A sample of 639 veterans enrolled in EVP between May, 2015 and December, 2017 provided data to conduct descriptive analyses to assess participant demographics, graduation, and satisfaction rates. PRO data were analyzed using a within-participants pre-post design, and linear mixed-effects models were used to examine pre-post changes in PRO. RESULTS: Of 639 participants, 444 (69.48%) graduated EVP. Participant median program satisfaction rating was 8.41 (Interquartile Range: 8.20-9.20). Results indicate pre-post EVP improvements (Bonferroni-adjusted p < .003) in the three primary pain outcomes (intensity, interference, catastrophizing), and 12 of 17 secondary outcomes, including physical, psychological, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), acceptance, and mindfulness measures. DISCUSSION: Data suggest that EVP has significant positive outcomes in pain, psychological, physical, HRQoL, acceptance, and mindfulness measures for veterans with chronic pain through non-pharmacological means. Future evaluations of intervention dosing effect and long-term effectiveness of the program is needed.

Comparison of hospitalization costs for the same adverse reaction associated with different medications.

PURPOSE: Costs of hospitalization due to severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were previously estimated within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), but additional analyses are needed to infer potential interventions to mitigate these negative outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare specific adverse reaction-related hospitalization costs between medications with similar indications. METHODS: Mean hospitalization costs associated with the same ADR symptom were compared for different drugs with similar indications using adjusted generalized linear models with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons as well as a gamma distribution. RESULTS: Overall, hospitalization costs between medications with similar indications were not significantly different for specific adverse reactions. However, gastrointestinal hemorrhage-associated costs were higher for warfarin versus nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (model estimate of mean cost, $18,114 [range of lower and upper model estimates, $12,522-$26,202] vs $14,255 [estimate range, $9,710-$20,929]). Similarly, the estimated mean hospitalization cost associated with angioedema was higher for losartan versus lisinopril or lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide: $14,591 (range, $9467-$22,488) versus $8,935 (range, $6,301-$12,669) and $8,022 (range, $5,424-$11,865), respectively. CONCLUSION: Although we found few differences in the cost of hospitalization when comparing drugs with similar indications and the same adverse reaction, there were specific drug-ADR pairs that merit attention and consideration of interventions to improve safe and appropriate medication use. Evaluation of the effect of those interventions on the incidence of ADRs is an area for future study.

Dual utilization of Medicare and VA outpatient care among Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) utilizing Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities are also Medicare eligible. Use of multiple health care systems potentially duplicates or fragments care in this population; yet little is known about those using multiple systems. This study describes dual use of services paid for by VA and Medicare among Veterans with SCI/D. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans with SCI/D (n = 13,902) who received healthcare services within the VA SCI System of Care and were eligible for or enrolled in Medicare in 2011. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient characteristics, average number of visits and patient level frequencies of reasons for visits were determined for individuals within healthcare utilization (VA only, Medicare only, or dual VA/Medicare) groups. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to investigate associations of patient variables on dual use. RESULTS: 65.3% of Veterans with SCI/D were VA only users for outpatient encounters, 4.4% had encounters paid for by Medicare only, and 30.3% were dual users. Veterans were less likely to be VA only users if they were older than 69 and if they had been injured for greater than ten years. African American Veterans with SCI (compared to white) were more likely to be VA only users. CONCLUSION: A substantial number (∼30%) of Veterans with SCI/D are dual users. These numbers highlight the importance of improved strategies to coordinate care and increase health information sharing across systems.

Use of the Veterans Health Administration online patient portal among Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE: Online patient portals like the Veteran Health Administration's (VA) My HealtheVet (MHV) may be particularly useful for Veterans with spinal cord injuries/disorders (SCI/D), many of whom experience barriers to care. The objective of this analysis was to examine MHV use among Veterans with SCI/D. DESIGN: Retrospective database analysis. SETTING: VA SCI/D System of Care. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans with SCI/D who utilize VA care. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. OUTCOME MEASURES: MHV registration and use of key portal features among Veterans who newly registered for MHV. Veteran characteristics associated with registration and use of portal features using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: 14.6% of Veterans with SCI/D in our sample registered to use MHV. 48.7% used the medication refill feature, 28.7% used the appointment view feature, 25.0% sent or read at least one secure message and 10.8% used the Blue Button feature. Adjusted analyses indicate that having a C5-8 (OR: 1.36, CI95%: 1.06-1.76, P < 0.05) or T1-S5 (OR: 1.41, CI95%: 1.13-1.78, P < 0.01) (vs. C1-C4), having (vs. not having) neurogenic bladder (OR: 1.45, CI95%: 1.18-1.77, P < 0.01), being married (vs. not married) (OR: 2.00, CI95%: 1.67-2.39, P < 0.01), and increased healthcare utilization in the third (OR: 1.71, CI95%: 1.31-2.24, P < 0.01) and fourth (OR: 1.73, CI95%: 1.27-2.34, P < 0.01) quartiles (vs. first quartile) were associated with increased odds of MHV registration. We also identified factors associated with use of key MHV features. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that MHV registration and use of key portal features was limited among Veterans with SCI/D. Effort to increase portal use in this population are warranted.

Protocol to improve hypertension management in a VA outpatient clinic.

This 20-week quality improvement study describes implementation of a hypertension identification and management program with use of a standardized oscillometric blood pressure (BP) measurement protocol, provider education, and audit/feedback of hypertension control in a Veterans Affairs primary care clinic. A total of 692 male Veterans ages 18-85 years with treated hypertension and at least one clinic visit in the previous year were included for analysis. Mean age was 69.7 years (standard deviation 7.6) and race and ethnicity were 42.0% White, 29.1% Black and 3.0% Hispanic. Prior to program implementation, clinic BP was measured using the auscultatory method with a manual syphgmomanometer. Baseline BP measurements demonstrated bias as determined by terminal digit preference for digits 0 and 8 in 29.5% and 25.2% of systolic (SBP) and 31.6% and 21.8% of diastolic BP measurements, respectively (p < 0.001). Post-implementation of the standardized oscillometric BP measurement protocol, digit preference was eliminated. Protocol compliance was 89.1% at 5 weeks and 92.4% at 20 weeks. Overall average SBP was significantly higher in the post-implementation period compared to average SBP in the 12-month pre-implementation period (137.4 [Standard Deviation (SD) 17.4] vs. 126.3 [SD 15.3]; P < 0.001). Uncontrolled hypertension, (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg), increased from 17.8% at baseline to 41.8% post-implementation while provider therapeutic inertia declined from 84.5% at baseline to 55.8% after 20 weeks. This study shows that terminal digit preference is reduced with implementation of standardized oscillatory BP measurement and a quality improvement program can reduce therapeutic inertia of hypertension treatment.

Nephrology-Palliative Care Collaboration to Promote Outpatient Hemodialysis Goals of Care Conversations.

Background: Goals of care conversations and corresponding life-sustaining treatment (LST) progress notes were completed for only one-fourth of patients on outpatient dialysis despite hospital-wide training with nephrologists at the Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase completion of LST progress notes and corresponding orders among patients on dialysis through an interdisciplinary nephrology-palliative care collaboration. Observations: The nephrology and palliative care departments began an interdisciplinary collaboration for nephrology to consult palliative care to initiate goals of care conversations and complete LST progress notes with patients on dialysis. A coordinated workflow process was created that included multidisciplinary efforts for patient selection, patient education, and introduction and completion of goals of care conversations for patients on dialysis. Completion rates for LST notes increased from 27% to 81% following the 13-month intervention, with 69 of 85 patients having a documented LST progress note. Conclusions: A collaboration between nephrology and palliative care increased high-quality LST progress note completion. The next steps include expanding these collaborations at other dialysis units and evaluating the impact on patient outcomes.

Comparing Service Use and Costs of Individual Placement and Support With Usual Vocational Services for Veterans With PTSD.

Objective: Among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), supported employment that utilizes the individual placement and support (IPS) model has resulted in consistently better employment and functional outcomes than usual vocational rehabilitation services. This study aimed to compare these two approaches in terms of health services use and associated costs. Methods: A secondary analysis of a multisite randomized controlled trial of 541 unemployed veterans with PTSD used archival data from electronic medical records to assess the use and costs of health services of IPS and usual care (i.e., a transitional work [TW] program) over 18 months. Comparisons were also made to an 18-month postintervention period. Results: The two study groups did not differ in number of inpatient days or in utilization or cost of high-intensity services. Annual per-person costs of health services were approximately 20% higher for IPS than for TW participants (mean difference=$4,910 per person per year, p<0.05) during the intervention period, largely driven by higher utilization and costs for vocational services in the IPS group (p<0.001). These costs declined postintervention to nonsignificant differences. The mean annual per-person vocational service cost was $6,388 for IPS and $2,549 for TW (mean difference=$3,839, p<0.001) during the intervention period. Conclusions: In keeping with IPS's intensive case management approach, veterans receiving IPS used more vocational services and had correspondingly higher costs than veterans receiving TW. The two groups did not differ in use or cost of other types of health services. Future research should examine whether higher short-term costs associated with IPS relative to usual care result in long-term cost savings or higher quality of life for persons with PTSD.

Effect of the Affordable Care Act on healthcare utilization for Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

Context/Objective: Provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) potentially increase insurance options for Veterans with disabilities. We examined Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) to assess whether the ACA was associated with changes in healthcare utilization from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities.Design: Using national VA data, we investigated impacts on VA healthcare utilization pre- (2012/13) and post-ACA (2014/15) implementation with negative binomial regression models.Setting: VA healthcare facilities.Participants: 8,591 VA users with SCI/D. Veterans with acute myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were excluded as were patients who died during the study period.Interventions: We assessed VA healthcare utilization before and after ACA implementation.Outcome Measures: Total numbers of VA visits for SCI/D care, diagnostic care, primary care, specialty care, and mental health care, and VA admissions.Results: The number of VA admissions was 7% higher in the post than pre-ACA implementation period (P < 0.01). The number of VA visits post-implementation increased for SCI/D care (8%; P < 0.01) and specialty care (12%; P < 0.001). Conversely, the number of mental health visits was 17% lower in the post-ACA period (P < 0.001). Veterans with SCI/D who live <5 miles from their nearest VA facility received VA care more frequently than those ≥40 miles from VA (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Counter to expectations, results suggest that Veterans with SCI/D sought more frequent VA care after ACA implementation, indicating Veterans with SCI/D continue to utilize the lifelong, comprehensive care provided at VA.

Health Insurance Coverage Among Veterans Receiving Care From VA Health Care Facilities.

Reasons for acquiring insurance outside Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care coverage among VA enrollees are incompletely understood. To assess Veterans' decision-making and acquisition of non-VA health care insurance in the Affordable Care Act era, we used mailed questionnaires and semistructured interviews in a stratified random sample of VA enrollees <65 years in the Midwest. Of the 3,666 survey participants, 32.1% reported non-VA insurance. Frequently reported reasons included wanting coverage for emergency situations or family members. Those without non-VA insurance cited unaffordability as the main obstacle. Analysis of the semistructured interview data revealed similar findings. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, characteristics associated with non-VA insurance included higher income (>$50,000 vs. <$10,000, odds ratio [OR] = 5.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.45-10.3, p < .001). As financial barriers exist for acquisition of non-VA insurance and hence community care, it is critically important that VA enrollees' health care needs are met through VA or community providers financed through VA.

Cost-Effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support Compared to Transitional Work Program for Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leads to significant disability, unemployment, and substantial healthcare costs. The cost-effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions is important to consider when determining which services to offer. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness and return on investment of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) compared to transitional work (TW) programs. Employment outcomes from a multisite randomized trial comparing IPS to TW in military veterans with PTSD (n = 541) were linked to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) archival medical record databases to examine the comparative cost-effectiveness and return on investment. Effectiveness was defined as hours worked and income earned in competitive jobs. Costs for VR, mental health, and medical care and income earned from competitive sources were annualized and adjusted to 2019 US dollars. The annualized mean cost per person of outpatient (including vocational services) were $3970 higher for IPS compared to TW ($23,245 vs. $19,276, respectively; P = 0.004). When TW income was included in costs, mean grand total costs per person per year were similar between groups ($29,828 IPS vs. $26,772 TW; P = 0.17). The incremental cost-effectiveness analysis showed that while IPS is more costly, it is also more effective. The return on investment (excluding TW income) was 32.9% for IPS ($9762 mean income/$29,691 mean total costs) and 29.6% for TW ($7326 mean income/$24,781 mean total costs). IPS significantly improves employment outcomes for individuals with PTSD with negligible increase in healthcare costs and yields very good return on investment compared to non-IPS VR services.

Web-based patient portal use and medication overlap from VA and private-sector pharmacies among older veterans.

BACKGROUND: The availability of Medicare Part D pharmacy coverage may increase veterans' options for obtaining medications outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacies. However, availability of Part D coverage raises the potential that veterans may be receiving similar medications from VA and non-VA pharmacies. The VA's personal health record portal, My HealtheVet, allows veterans to self-enter the non-VA medications that they obtained from community-based pharmacies, including those reimbursed by Medicare Part D. The Blue Button medication view feature of My HealtheVet allows veterans to view and download their VA and self-entered non-VA medication history. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the use by veterans of the Blue Button feature of My HealtheVet was associated with less acquisition of similar medications from VA and community-based pharmacies reimbursed by Medicare Part D. METHODS: This study included a national sample of veterans who were new My HealtheVet users during fiscal year 2013 (October 1, 2012-September 30, 2013) and who used the Blue Button medication view feature of My HealtheVet at least once (users). We compared these veterans with a random sample of veterans who were not registered to use My HealtheVet (nonusers). From these groups, we identified veterans who were enrolled in Part D. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the association of Blue Button medication view use with obtaining medications from the same drug classes (with overlap of 7 or more days) from VA and Part D-reimbursed pharmacies. RESULTS: There were 7,973 My HealtheVet medication view users and 65,985 nonusers. During a 12-month period, medication view users received more 30-day supplies of medications (one 90-day supply equals three 30-day supplies) than nonusers, on average (152.1 vs 71.3, P < 0.001). A larger percentage of users than nonusers obtained medications from VA and Part D-reimbursed pharmacies with overlapping days supply from the same drug classes (30% vs 23%, P < 0.001). However, for veterans who obtained greater numbers of 30-day supplies (82 or more), a significantly smaller percentage of users than nonusers obtained overlapping medications from VA and Part D-reimbursed pharmacies. Moreover, controlling for the total number of 30-day supplies that veterans received, the odds of obtaining medications from VA and Part D-reimbursed pharmacies with days supply that overlapped by at least 7 days for the same drug classes was 18% lower for users than nonusers (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Veterans who used the Blue Button medication view feature of My HealtheVet obtained a larger number of 30-day supplies of medications from VA pharmacies than nonusers. For veterans who obtained a larger number of 30-day supplies of medications, use of the Blue Button medication view feature of My HealtheVet was associated with less overlap in days supply of medication from the same drug class from VA and Part D-reimbursed pharmacies. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development Service project IIR 14-041-2. The sponsor provided funding but was not involved in the development of the manuscript. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Health Services Research and Development Service. All authors are employed in some capacity with the Department of Veterans Affairs and have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Challenges, Facilitators, and Recommendations for Implementation of Home Dialysis in the Veterans Health Administration: Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perceptions.

Background: Home dialysis confers similar survival and greater quality of life than in-center hemodialysis for adults with ESKD but remains underutilized. We examined challenges and facilitators to implementation of home dialysis and identified stakeholder-centered strategies for improving it. Methods: We conducted a qualitative, cross-sectional, multisite evaluation that included five geographically dispersed Veterans Health Administration (VHA) home dialysis programs. Participants included patients with ESKD receiving home dialysis, their informal caregivers, and home dialysis staff. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted and audio-recorded from 2017 through 2018, to assess perceived barriers and facilitators to patient home dialysis use in VHA. Transcribed interviews were analyzed thematically by each participant group. Results: Participants included 22 patients receiving home dialysis (18 on peritoneal dialysis [PD] and four hemodialysis [HD]); 20 informal caregivers, and 19 home dialysis program staff. Ten themes emerged as challenges to implementing home dialysis, of which six (60%) spanned all groups: need for sterility, burden of home dialysis tasks, lack of suitable home environment, physical side effects of home dialysis, negative psychosocial effects of home dialysis, and loss of freedom. Four themes (40%), identified only by staff, were insufficient self-efficacy, diminished peer socialization, geographic barriers, and challenging health status. Twelve themes emerged as facilitators to implementing home dialysis, of which seven (58%) spanned all groups: convenience, freedom, avoidance of in-center HD, preservation of autonomy, adequate support, favorable disposition, and perceptions of improved health. Two themes (17%) common among patients and staff were adequate training and resources, and physical and cognitive skills for home dialysis. Recommendations to promote implementation of home dialysis common to all participant groups entailed incorporating mental health care services, offering peer-to-peer coaching, increasing home visits, providing health data feedback, and reducing patient burden. Conclusions: Stakeholder-centered challenges were rigorously identified. Facilitators and recommendations can inform efforts to support home dialysis implementation.